100 Percentile in CAT Exam; Know What 100 Percentile Means?
Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
CAT score of 100 percentile is an ideal score but tough to achieve. On an average, only about 9-11 candidates score 100 percentile in CAT exam, out of over lakh test takers. So what does CAT 100 percentile mean? Read here.
100 percentile in CAT
100 percentile in CAT is a dream score. And it is not difficult to understand why. CAT 100 percentile means that you are not only eligible for the top IIMs, you are in a position to choose from the best MBA colleges – IIMs as well non-IIMs. Every year only a handful of candidates score 100 percentile, despite many getting extremely well raw scores. Now that CAT 2025 result is due anytime, it is time to understand what is actually 100 percentile in CAT.
So, what does 100 percentile in CAT mean? It means that a candidate has performed better than all of the other test takers (2.50 lakh+). It may or may not be only the performance, because if it were so, whoever got the highest CAT raw score would get 100 percentile, definitely. But it is not so, several other factors also matter. To explain further, it is a representation of the relative performance of a CAT candidate compared to other test takers. Similarly, if a candidate gets 99.99 percentile in CAT exam, then their performance is better than 99.99 percent candidates.
- What CAT percentile means? How to calculate?
- How Many Candidates get 100 percentile in CAT?
- 100 Percentile in CAT Exam: Admission Chances
- CAT 2025 Marks vs Percentile Estimation
- Expected CAT Cut Offs 2025
What CAT percentile means? How to calculate?
To calculate every test taker’s CAT percentile, the examination authority, applies a formula. The CAT percentile of every candidate is calculated from their raw score. First of all, the raw scores of test takers across each session of the CAT exam are normalized to bring them on a common scale. The raw scores of the exam are then converted into percentile on the basis of the following formula:
P = (R/N) × 100
where,
P= Percentile score
R= Rank of the candidate arrived at on the basis of scaled CAT score or the total number of test takers ranking below a particular candidate.
N= Number of candidates who appeared in CAT exam (all three sessions)
Suppose, 1,000 people take CAT and once candidate scored 196 out of 198 (scaled score) and the rest 999 scored below 196. Then the CAT percentile of the candidate who got the highest raw score will be 999/1000*100 = 99.9.
Also Read:
How Many Candidates get 100 percentile in CAT?
On an average, about 9-11 candidates score 100 percentile in CAT every year. Most of the CAT 100 percentilers are from engineering background. Check here some data points:
- In CAT 2024, the total number of 100 percentilers in 14, out of which 13 are from engineering background.
- In CAT 2023, the total number of 100 percentilers was 14, out of which 11 were from engineering background.
- In CAT 2022, a total of 11 candidates got 100 percentile, out of which 10 were from engineering background and 1 was from non-engineering background
- In CAT 2021, a total of 9 candidates scored 100 percentile and all were from engineering background.
- In CAT 2020 as well, 9 candidates had scored 100 percentile. Out of 9, only 1 candidate was from non-engineering background.
- In CAT 2019, the number of 100 percentilers was 10. All candidates were males and belong to engineering or technical background.
- In CAT 2018, the total number of CAT 100 percentilers was 11. All the 11 toppers are from engineering and technical backgrounds.
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100 Percentile in CAT Exam: Admission Chances
Candidates who score 100 percentile in CAT exam definitely get interview calls from the top IIMs – IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta. 100 percentile is the highest CAT cut offs for PI shortlisting for these IIMs, for General category students.
If CAT 100 percentilers have a good academic record and they perform well in the WAT-PI rounds, are sure to get the final call for admission. Candidates having 100 percentile can not only get the top IIMs but they can actually get any B-school they wish. Being the top rankers with a good profile, every B-Schools will be willing to accept their candidature happily.
Does CAT 100 percentile help in admission to foreign universities?
No, candidates will 100 percentile in CAT cannot apply to foreign universities as the exam score is not accepted internationally. CAT is a national level exam and accepted by only domestic institutions.
Also Read: Top 30 MBA colleges accepting CAT score
CAT 2025 Marks vs Percentile Estimation
Given below is the table indicating conversion of CAT score into CAT percentile. These CAT 2025 expected marks vs percentile arrived at by calculating number of correct attempts.
| Percentile |
VARC Score |
DILR Score |
QA Score |
Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9 |
51 |
46 |
48 |
122 |
| 99.5 |
44 |
39 |
40 |
103 |
| 99 |
40 |
34 |
33 |
90 |
| 98 |
34 |
31 |
30 |
81 |
| 95 |
30 |
26 |
25 |
70 |
| 90 |
23 |
19 |
18 |
53 |
| 85 |
19 |
15 |
16 |
45 |
| 80 |
17 |
13 |
14 |
40 |
| 75 |
15 |
11 |
12 |
34 |
Expected CAT Cut Offs 2025
Check the below table indicating expected CAT cut offs 2025 for IIMs and other to MBA colleges in India.
| B-Schools |
*CAT cut offs 2025 (percentile) |
|---|---|
| 99-100 |
|
| 99-100 |
|
| 99 |
|
| 97-98 |
|
| 97-98 |
|
| 97-98 |
|
| 95-96 |
|
| 95-96 |
|
| 95-96 |
|
| 94-95 |
|
| 94-95 |
|
| 94-95 |
|
| 94-95 |
|
| 92-94 |
|
| 92-94 |
|
| 92-94 |
|
| 92-94 |
|
| 90 |
|
| 90 |
|
| 90 |
|
| 94 |
|
| 98-99 |
|
| 95-99 |
|
| 95-99 |
|
| 95-97 |
|
| 96 |
|
| 97-99 |
|
| 90 |
|
| 91 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 86 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 80 |
|
| 70 |
|
| 70 |
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CAT cut offs for non-IIMs is usually lower than IIMs.
Top MBA College | CAT Cut Offs (percentile) |
|---|---|
FMS, Delhi | 98-99 |
IIFT Delhi | 95-99 |
SPJIMR, Mumbai | 95-99 |
IMT, Ghaziabad | 95-97 |
JBIMS, Mumbai | 96 |
MDI, Gurgaon | 97-99 |
IMI, New Delhi | 90 |
XIM, Bhubaneshwar | 91 |
GIM Goa | 85 |
K J Somaiya, Mumbai | 86 |
TAPMI, Manipal | 80 |
FORE, New Delhi | 85 |
IFMR, Chennai | 80 |
IRMA, Anand | 80 |
MICA, Ahmedabad | 80 |
LIBA, Chennai | 70 |
XIME, Bangalore | 70 |
The CAT cut offs for IIM Bangalore hovers between 97-100 percentile. The qualifying CAT cut off required for being eligible for IIM Bangalore's Written Ability test (What) and Personal Interview PI is 85 percentile for General category students, whereas for SC candidates, it is 70 percentile. For ST candidates, it is 65 percentile and for PwD candidates it is 60 percentile. Given below are the sectional and overall qualifying CAT cut offs for IIM Bangalore.
- General category: 80 VARC 75 DILR 75 Quantitative Aptitude 85 (Overall)
- NC-OBC category: 75 VARC 65 DILR 65 Quantitative Aptitude 75 (Overall)
- EWS category: 70 VARC 65 DILR 65 Quantitative Aptitude 75 (Overall)
- SC category: 65 VARC 60 DILR 60 Quantitative Aptitude 70 (Overall)
- ST category: 55 VARC 55 DILR 55 Quantitative Aptitude 65 (Overall)
- PwD category: 50 VARC 50 DILR 50 Quantitative Aptitude 60 (Overall)
CAT cut offs do not flutuate much. For the past few years, the CAT exam cut offs for IIMs or other top colleges have not seen much change. If there is any change at all, it is in decimals. However, that decimal point too can make or mar admission chances. CAT cut offs for 2026 admission will largely remain the same as the CAT 2025 exam difficulty level was same as last year and number of takers dipped from last year.
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days ago
One should keep 9 months for CAT preparation, but it is possible to prepare in six months too provided the plan is focussed and exhaustive. For a six month preparation plan, one will need to dedicate 8 to 10 hours daily.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to MBA at ISMR Pune. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants with a score in CMAT, MAT, XAT, MAH MBA CET, etc. can also get admission. Candidates selected based on their entrance exam scores also need to pass the personal interview round for admission
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into MBA course at Chhatrapati Shahu Institute of Business Education and Research. The institute accepts other national/ state level management entrance exams too. The names of the accepted entrance examinations are: XAT/ MAT/ ATMA/ MAH MBA CET.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
No, CAT scores are not compulsory for admissions into MBA course at GLA University, Mathura. The university also considers scores from other management entrance exam and one university level entrance exam too. The names of the other accepted entrance exams are: MAT/ XAT/ UPSEE.
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, CAT scores are not important for enrollment into Masters of Business Administration course at Chitkara University. Because CAT is not the only scores which are considered by the university, it also accepts the scores of MAT/ XAT/ NMAT/ CMAT.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Minimum qualifying cut off for IIM Ahmedabad is 95 percentile whereas for IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, it is 85. However final cut offs for these three top IIMs are between 99 to 100 percentile.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, you can join Adarsh Institute of Management and Information Technology without appearing for CAT. This is because, the institute also accepts other tests. The accepted exams include CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ CMAT/ KMAT/ PGCET/ GMAT. Hence, if you have appeared for any of these, you can still apply.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, Myra School of Business does offer CAT scores based Scholarships upto INR 1.5 lakh. In recognition of outstanding performance in CAT, MSB awards special scholarships as follows:
- INR 5 Lacs for students securing a minimum 90 percentile
- INR 1 Lacs for students securing a minimum 85 percentile
- INR 75
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
LISAA School of Design, Bangalore BDes admission is done based on performance in the in-house entrance test. LISAA CAT is conducted at the LISAA centres. Candidates need to connect with the admission team to set up a time slot. Besides, it is important that the eligibility criteria is fulfilled.
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, CAT is not mandatory for School of Business and Management, Christ University MBA admissions. Students can alternatively submit scores of other national-level management exams. These include MAT/ XAT/ CMAT/ ATMA and GMAT/ GRE are also accepted.
S
Contributor-Level 10
14 candidates have scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024, out of a total of 2.93 Lacs candidates. Out of 14 toppers, 1 is a woman candidate. Check below CAT 2024 result data:
Check the below table for data and statistics of CAT 2024 test takers and toppers.
Discipline
percentiles 14 - Nos
Male - 13
Engg – 13
Non-Engg – 1
Delhi 2
Haryana 1
Kerala 1
Maharashtra 5
Odisha 1
Rajasthan 1
Telangana 2
percentiles 29 -Nos.
Male - 27
Engg – 25
Non-Engg - 4
Delhi 4
Gujarat 2
Haryana 1
Karnataka 3
Kerala 1
Madhya Pradesh 1
Maharashtra 5
Odisha 1
Punjab 1
Rajasthan 3
Tamil Nadu 1
Telangana 1
Uttar Pradesh1
Uttarakhand 1
West Bengal 2
percentiles 30-Nos
Male - 29
Engg – 20
Non-Engg -10
Delhi 2
Gujarat 2
Haryana 4
Karnataka 4
Madhya Pradesh 3
Maharashtra 3
Tamil Nadu 2
Telangana 3
Uttar Pradesh 2
West Bengal 4